Over the weekend we had a yard sale. We had had one a while back and was I surprised at the behavior of some people. After that experience I was, or I thought I was, prepared for the customers this time around. Boy was I wrong. I thought it was common courtesy/common sense, but after this weekend... wow.
Rules for the Customer at a Yard Sale... "aka" Yard Sale Etiquette 101.
#1. It's a yard sale, not Macy's.
Most things at a yard sale are USED! (insert shocked face) The nerve of some people for putting out something used at a yard sale. Seriously?? If you are looking for new stuff- go to a store and pay for a new tag. My yard sale stuff is used. Be happy it doesn't have holes.
#2. Don't be a jerk- that is my stuff.
It's funny when I make fun of my stuff. Not so funny when someone else does. Un-Cool.
#3. That is my stuff on a table, not trash in a dumpster- be respectful.
No one has enough tables/bins/blankets to lay every item out so that there isn't a need to rummage through. There is a difference between looking through things and tossing things around, unfolding, letting things fall on the ground, or just making a mess. I am trying to sell it which means that I think it has some value- respect that- don't act like my stuff is trash.
#4. Are you really haggling over something that is $1???
True story from this weekend: A woman holds up a pair of cotton shorts (that I paid like $10 for at Target, but thats not the point) and asks how much. I say with a friendly smile "One Dollar". This woman acts like I just slapped her. She then proceeded to THROW the shorts from the other side of the driveway to the table they came from while mumbling- loud enough for me to hear- "Not those shorts, not for no dollar- they are way to worn, and the draw string is missing. Maybe for 50 cents but CERTAINLY not for no dollar. At this point I was seeing red and wanted to grab her face and ask her to leave, but she did by something else for $1 without haggling so I was willing to take her money anyway. I couldn't believe the nerve of this woman. It was ONE DOLLAR!!! Really?? If it was more than you were willing to spend thats fine, but don't make a scene about it.
#5. Don't talk crap about my stuff. It may be junk, but it's MY junk.
If you don't want it, thats fine, but no need to make fun, snicker at, or dirty look me about it.
#6. It's not that far to the next yard sale... get your kid off your lap and put them in a car seat.
Bottom line... I'm not having a yard sale because it is fun to give away my stuff for free- I'm trying to make a few bucks... to buy some more crap that I'll yard sale in 6 months.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
"Tri" for 30... Running.
Running... the one thing out of the 3 required for this triathlon (that I am DETERMINED to do) that I'm feeling pretty proud of myself about my progress and improvement.
(About to hurl after 3.2 miles in 29 minutes- My current best time)
Once upon a time I tried to get into running. My heart was in to it, my lungs were into it, but my body just couldn't keep up. The problem was that my fatty fat legs, ok- total honesty-fatty fat legs, stomach, and sometimes lower back would jiggle when running. This would in turn make me itchy. Not just an uncomfortable itch, a I want to scratch the marrow out of my bones itch. It pretty much ruined any chance I had at getting into running so naturally I quit running.
So, I dropped a few LB's and the jiggles are a thing of the past and I'm giving running another chance. Several months ago I ran 3 miles in 33 minutes. I'm not entirely sure where I pulled that out of for my first run (without kids), but I was SUPER excited!! Since then, my best time has been 3.2 miles in 29 minutes- that is a 9 minute mile!! (insert audience applause) After continuing to walk and run with and without the kids I have come to a few conclusions.
#1 Umbrella strollers are not meant to be run with. The handles are more than shoulder width apart and makes it nearly impossible to get into a good rhythm.
#2 The perfect kid on a run/walk is a sleeping kid.
#3 I feel like I pack half the house to go for a long walk with the boys. Snacks, drinks, books, toys... it is ridiculous.
#4 It never fails that as soon as we get to the farthest spot from our house one or all of the following will happen: Mason will freak out because he wants to walk (cause he's a big boy); It will start to rain; Cooper will start to fuss (cause he wants to be held/wants to get down).
#5 As soon as you get into a good rhythm at a good pace- someone will drop something that needs to be stopped for.
All of this has taught me a few lessons. Buy a real jogging stroller. I'm in this to win it- time to fork out some $$ and get the right equipment. Deal with packing the crap- it's entertainment and will give me a few more minutes of happy time. Awake kids can be fun too- they give me someone to talk to on our long walks and Mason helps to pick out different things like birds and trees that I would not have taken the time to look at or even notice. There is nothing you can do about the dropped toy- it's frustrating, but I'm no litter bug so I stop and pick it up. And finally, have an endless supply of patience, determination, and will power to figure out how to run, talk, juggle, and hold an umbrella at the same time.
Athlete+Motherhood= SuperWoman... in a sports bra, shorts, and sneakers because a bikini top and knee high boots are just not practical.
(About to hurl after 3.2 miles in 29 minutes- My current best time)
Once upon a time I tried to get into running. My heart was in to it, my lungs were into it, but my body just couldn't keep up. The problem was that my fatty fat legs, ok- total honesty-fatty fat legs, stomach, and sometimes lower back would jiggle when running. This would in turn make me itchy. Not just an uncomfortable itch, a I want to scratch the marrow out of my bones itch. It pretty much ruined any chance I had at getting into running so naturally I quit running.
So, I dropped a few LB's and the jiggles are a thing of the past and I'm giving running another chance. Several months ago I ran 3 miles in 33 minutes. I'm not entirely sure where I pulled that out of for my first run (without kids), but I was SUPER excited!! Since then, my best time has been 3.2 miles in 29 minutes- that is a 9 minute mile!! (insert audience applause) After continuing to walk and run with and without the kids I have come to a few conclusions.
#1 Umbrella strollers are not meant to be run with. The handles are more than shoulder width apart and makes it nearly impossible to get into a good rhythm.
#2 The perfect kid on a run/walk is a sleeping kid.
#3 I feel like I pack half the house to go for a long walk with the boys. Snacks, drinks, books, toys... it is ridiculous.
#4 It never fails that as soon as we get to the farthest spot from our house one or all of the following will happen: Mason will freak out because he wants to walk (cause he's a big boy); It will start to rain; Cooper will start to fuss (cause he wants to be held/wants to get down).
#5 As soon as you get into a good rhythm at a good pace- someone will drop something that needs to be stopped for.
All of this has taught me a few lessons. Buy a real jogging stroller. I'm in this to win it- time to fork out some $$ and get the right equipment. Deal with packing the crap- it's entertainment and will give me a few more minutes of happy time. Awake kids can be fun too- they give me someone to talk to on our long walks and Mason helps to pick out different things like birds and trees that I would not have taken the time to look at or even notice. There is nothing you can do about the dropped toy- it's frustrating, but I'm no litter bug so I stop and pick it up. And finally, have an endless supply of patience, determination, and will power to figure out how to run, talk, juggle, and hold an umbrella at the same time.
Athlete+Motherhood= SuperWoman... in a sports bra, shorts, and sneakers because a bikini top and knee high boots are just not practical.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Tri for 30!! And the swim training begins!!
I have decided to compete in a triathlon on October 13th. I kind of do an embarrassed snicker when I say it out loud like Yeah right! ha ha! So I basically have 3 months to get into race shape... honestly I'm a little nervous.
Swimming- not my strong suit. I like to say that I swim well enough not to drown. I imagine that I'm better at it than I'm giving myself credit for because once upon a time, I spent a summer as a certified lifeguard. Still not really sure how that happened! ha ha
So today was my first day of swim training... state of mind: I'm going to show that pool who's boss!!
I squeeze into my trusty one piece suit... to be sure to look the part, then my first fail.
I know that Mason (2 year old son) had the goggles the other day at the pool, but now that I needed them, they have disappeared. I had a very limited window of solo training time- left Eric to have diner solo with the boys, but wanted to be back by bed time. Searching for goggles that I had no idea where they were was not in the timeline.
Second fail... I rode my bike to the pool (about .5 miles- no biggie) and am stopped at the gate by this lifeguard boy (and I mean boy, he couldn't be more than 15 years old and I'm not entirely sure that he could save me if it came down to it!) "Do you have your membership card" Me: "Nope" Boy: "are you a member?" Me: "uhhhh... sure, but I uhhh forgot my card?? Are you really going to make me ride my bike ALLL the way back to my house for the card?" Intimidated Boy "Just pretend you are handing me something" Definitely not getting saved now.
There I was, pool side, serious swimmer suit, sans goggles, and thought: Ok, what now? I jumped in and though how nice it was to be in a pool and not have anxiety about one of my kids drowning, being kidnapped, or running away... ok Sarah, get serious. Start swimming!
I thought I'd start out serious... freestyle. But I didn't have goggles and am a chicken who won't open my eyes under water- it's a salt water pool and to be honest- it hurts and I still can't see anything anyway. So I have no idea how far I've gone but am guessing that I've gotten close to the other side. Pop up and look around. Not only am I only half way across, I'm 2 lanes over. Crap. This is not going to work out. I look over at the lifeguards who are now giving me the "are you serious?" look and I want to yell at them- my kid lost my goggles!! But anyway I kept going with my head up out of the water looking like a total rookie, but determined not to give up... and thats half the battle right??
Summary: Goggles are a must... along with no shame and a lot of determination to muscle through looking like a fool. Michael Phelps must have looked like an idiot the first time he swam... probably when he was like 5. Oh well... as my role model Joe Dirt says... gotta "Keep on Keepin on!!
Swimming- not my strong suit. I like to say that I swim well enough not to drown. I imagine that I'm better at it than I'm giving myself credit for because once upon a time, I spent a summer as a certified lifeguard. Still not really sure how that happened! ha ha
So today was my first day of swim training... state of mind: I'm going to show that pool who's boss!!
I squeeze into my trusty one piece suit... to be sure to look the part, then my first fail.
I know that Mason (2 year old son) had the goggles the other day at the pool, but now that I needed them, they have disappeared. I had a very limited window of solo training time- left Eric to have diner solo with the boys, but wanted to be back by bed time. Searching for goggles that I had no idea where they were was not in the timeline.
Second fail... I rode my bike to the pool (about .5 miles- no biggie) and am stopped at the gate by this lifeguard boy (and I mean boy, he couldn't be more than 15 years old and I'm not entirely sure that he could save me if it came down to it!) "Do you have your membership card" Me: "Nope" Boy: "are you a member?" Me: "uhhhh... sure, but I uhhh forgot my card?? Are you really going to make me ride my bike ALLL the way back to my house for the card?" Intimidated Boy "Just pretend you are handing me something" Definitely not getting saved now.
There I was, pool side, serious swimmer suit, sans goggles, and thought: Ok, what now? I jumped in and though how nice it was to be in a pool and not have anxiety about one of my kids drowning, being kidnapped, or running away... ok Sarah, get serious. Start swimming!
I thought I'd start out serious... freestyle. But I didn't have goggles and am a chicken who won't open my eyes under water- it's a salt water pool and to be honest- it hurts and I still can't see anything anyway. So I have no idea how far I've gone but am guessing that I've gotten close to the other side. Pop up and look around. Not only am I only half way across, I'm 2 lanes over. Crap. This is not going to work out. I look over at the lifeguards who are now giving me the "are you serious?" look and I want to yell at them- my kid lost my goggles!! But anyway I kept going with my head up out of the water looking like a total rookie, but determined not to give up... and thats half the battle right??
Summary: Goggles are a must... along with no shame and a lot of determination to muscle through looking like a fool. Michael Phelps must have looked like an idiot the first time he swam... probably when he was like 5. Oh well... as my role model Joe Dirt says... gotta "Keep on Keepin on!!
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